“No, we could walk to Drennil and obtain horses or river passage there, but it would be at least a few weeks on foot.” He eyed Frisha and Tam, remembering their complaints after sword practice. “Maybe more,” he added. “Lorelis is only about a week away. There, we can take the Lorelis River to Drennil and then continue via river, or we can purchase horses and travel the Lorelis Trade Route straight to Kaibain.”

Tam and Frisha were nodding as he spoke. “That sounds good. I’m glad you’re with us, Rez. I would be completely at a loss,” Tam said. Scratching his head, he sheepishly remarked, “I’m not even sure where we are relative to any of those places. I just know we’re somewhere on the river between Justain and Drennil.” Frisha nodded in agreement.

Eyes widening, Frisha’s next words came in a rush, “But, Rez, what about the bandits? The ones on the shore! Won’t we be attacked?”

Rezkin nodded. “Probably, but I will protect you.” Frisha and Tam’s faces were twisted with doubt and worry. “Lieutenant Jimson and some of his men will be joining us,” he added to put their minds at ease.

His friends’ relief was evident, but the concern remained. Rezkin could not fathom how any of these outworlders lived long enough to be considered grown. How could people lacking in so many Skills and filled with such fear possibly function?

The captured brigand regained consciousness after about an hour, and both Rezkin and the lieutenant questioned him thoroughly. The man had little to share except that he had supposedly been approached by bandits who offered him a chance to make some gold. He did say that one of the bandits mentioned some kind of rebels, but he had little else to share. It was agreed that the captured brigand would accompany the ship back to Justain where he would be prosecuted and hanged upon being found guilty of at least a half dozen crimes.

After gathering their things and packing food and water, the three friends met back on deck. Rezkin had already discussed with the captain about how to get the horse ashore. It was not going to be easy. Nothing ever was with the aggressive, stubborn battle charger. Rezkin wrapped the horse in blankets to prevent chaffing and then secured a number of ropes and straps around the horse’s middle, across his chest and around his hindquarters. He then looped the ropes over a massive hook attached to the pulley system used to load large cargo. A number of the ship’s crew hoisted the horse into the air.